Winter Holidays in London

For a great cultural experience, you should try London in the holiday season.

What to do

Visit Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park for instant Christmas spirit. Expect winter markets, fairground rides, ice skating and grottos.

Christmas light displays and decorations make London shine over the holiday season. The world-famous Christmas lights of Oxford Street and huge Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square must be seen.

Watching a pantomime (or "panto") is a great British tradition that's as much a part of Christmas as decorating trees and gift-giving! Panto is a fun type of musical comedy theatre for children and adults. 'Cinderella' is playing throughout December at the Lyric Hammersmith.

Feel like a kid again by visiting the largest toy shop in the world and pick up some unique gifts at Hamleys of London. Since 1760 Hamleys has been selling amazing toys and bringing delight. Their flagship store is on Regent Street.

What to eat and drink eat

From November onwards you can buy a bag of hot roasted chestnuts from a street vendor. There's nothing more wintery than eating warm chestnuts on a cold day. Get yours from Petticoat Lane Market.

Mulled wine is red wine mixed with spices. It’s served warm and may be alcoholic or non-alcoholic. It’s traditionally drunk during winter.

Learn about our English courses in London.

Now decide if the following statements are true or false:

• 1) There are ghosts in Winter Wonderland.
  
  True
  False
  
  
• 2) The decortations on Oxford Street and Trafalgar Square are only well-known in London.
  
  False
  True
  
  
• 3) Decorating trees and giving presents is called panto.
  
  False
  True
  
  
• 4) Hamleys sells flags for ships and toys.
  
  False
  True
  
  
• 5) Chestnuts are great to eat on a cold day.
  
  False
  True
  
  
• 6) Petticoat Lane is one place to buy chestnuts.
  
  True
  False
  
  
• 7) Mulled wine is a cold drink.
  
  True
  False